Window channel construction and method of assembly



Sept. 26, 1950 c. J. MCKINNEY WINDOW CHANNEL CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY Filed July 1, 1947 //v vE/v 7'0/2 CARLOS J Mc Kl/V/Vf) awn n4 7 7 2;

ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES TENT orrlcr.

WINDOW .CHANNEL CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD F ASSEMBLY Carlos J. McKinney, Detroit, Mich, assignor to The General Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, Qhio, a corporation of (Milo H ae i atign'miy 1, 1947, Serial No. 758,319

such as are used in automotive vehicles and which have movablelights or glass. 7

The doors and bodies of automobiles and other vehicles customarilyhave window openings fitted with movable lights or glass panels and such openings may be provided with contour sealing strips or wind-lacing which serve as weather seals between the window frames and the movable fglass lights and which also cushion the glass to 'minimizer'attling of the latter. Some window contours are intricata'involving acute angles and short radius bends. The contour strips or window sealing strips must fit accurately around such intricate shapes. Constructionsanddesigns embodying cross slits in a metal strip to permit edgewise bending have been evolved. However, contour weather stripping or wind-lacing without transverse slots is to be preferred because of its greater strength and durability. 1

.One of'the principal objects of the invention is to provide a generally improved unslottedcontinuous edge type of contour sealing strip or wind-lacing for vehicle windows having movand arrangements of parts which will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is made. This description is made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevational view ofan automotive vehicle door showing the .win-' dow therein; 7

Fig. 2 is a sectionaldetail through the window of Fig. 1 taken substantially on the line '22 of Fig. 1 and enlarged with respect to that figure;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan View of one of the spring jwire fasteners used to hold the sealing strip in assembled relation with the wall of the glass, channel.

Fig. 4 is an 'elevation'al view, partly in section and with parts broken away and removed, of the window line'r shown in Fig. 2 and enlarged with respect to that figure;

Figs. 5 8 are somewhat diagrammatic sectional details showing successive steps in assembling the liner of the present invention in a window structure in accordance with the method of the .present invention;

able lights or panels; more particularly to provide, in combination with a window structure having a frame including a glass receiving channel, a liner comprising a thin metal strip with which is assembled a ribbon or cushion'of deformable glass contacting material.

It is'another object of the invention to provide, in the combination mentioned, an improved means 'for attaching the sealing or contour strip to one wall of the glass receiving channel of the window structure.

Another object is -to provide, in combination with awindow structure having a glass receiving channel, a liner serving as an ornamentaltrim or finish for the edge. of the window frame and also as .a seal for contacting the glass lightof the window assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of assembling a contour sealing strip in a window structure wherein one continuous metal portion of the sealing strip is positioned and secured to the glass receiving channel wall and thereafter a continuous deform able glass contacting bodyor strip is assembled therewith andthe parts are held in assembled relation by means of the interfitting relationship.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention reside in certain features of construction ing frame contours l 4.

. with the metal portion by interfitting the same g lFig. '9is a sectional detail showing a modified form of liner or sealing strip assembled with the sheet metal frame of a window opening; and" r Fig. 10 is an elevational view partly in section and Withparts broken away showing in reduced scale a fragment of the sealing strip of Fig. 9.

The contour or sealing strip of 'the present invention maybe used around window openings of various shapes in either the door or the body of an automobile. Fig. 1 illustrates a window contour orsha'pe that is used in automobile doors. The'construction of a doorof this type includes inner and outer sheet metal panels H and [2' (Fig. 2) that are formed as by stamping and havethe desired contours and configurations.

These panels are marginally secured together 1 and have strengthening cross members, not shown. Around the window opening, the panels are curved inwardly toward one another provid- The marginal edgesof the panels arebent 'Or formedv at an angle to the frame contours i i to provid spaced generally parallel wall portions l5 disposed in confronting relation to one another and providing glass receiving channel.

The=window opening is fitted with a movable panel or glass light 2 which is raised and lowered by a mechanical operator, not shown, having connectionwith a channel member i5 secured along the bottom edge of-the glass.

re guide the movement of the glass 8 in the rolledv toward one another.

channel formed between the confronting wall portions I of the window frame, a liner in the form of a sealing or contour strip is supported on the edge of each of the panel walls I5.

By making the liner shell of very thin sheet metal, it can be sufficiently deformed to bend it edgewise around curves of small radius in adapting it to complex automobile window contours. The thin sheet metal used, which may be as thin as from about 22 to about 36 gauge, preferably about 28 gauge, is strengthened and reinforced against undesirable deformation and mutilation in use by having its side marginal edges For example, a contour or sealing strip constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 wherein the sheet metal strip includes a web portion I, having side marginal edges 2 and 3 bent or rolled toward one another providing spaced parallel channels 4 and 5 which are disposed in confronting relation to one another wholly on one side of the plane of the web.

A cushion body or ribbon 6 is disposed against the web I of the metal strip and extends longitudinally thereof. The cushion ribbon may be a plastic compound such as reclaimed rubber calendered or extruded in sheet form and adhered to the web of the metal strip. The marginal side edges of the cushion body 6 are received in the channels 4 and 5 of the metal strip and the cushion body is thus held in place by an interlocking arrangement and wholly within the confines of the metal shell.

Extending laterally from the central portion of the cushion body or ribbon 6 are a multiplicity of hair-like filaments or fabric tufts "I which are of resilient nature and serve to engage the movable glass window light 8 to form a weather seal thereagainst and to cushion the glass so as to prevent rattling thereof. The tufts 'I may be individually embedded in the cushion body 6 so as to extend therefrom in generally parallel relation to one another. A convenient construction is one in which the tufts I are formed on a woven strip of fabric material and such fabric is bonded to or partially embedded in the surface of the cushion body 6.

The rubber or plastic body or ribbon 6 is extruded in place on the web I of the metal strip, the latter being passed through the extruding die. While the plastic or rubber composition is hot and tacky as it emerges from the extruding die, a fabric strip having the tufts 'I is immediately applied thereto and pressed in place by rollers. The channels 4 and 5 may be formed by rolling the edges 2 and 3 of the strip before it is passed through the extruding die or, alternatively, the cushion body 6 and the tufted fabric may be first applied to the strip and then the edges 2 and 3 rolled about the edges of the cushion body to form the channels. The rubber composition is compounded to have a consistency corresponding to that of stiff putty so that the fabric becomes strongly bonded to or partially embedded therein. The assembled strips are cured in an autoclave or similar heater. At uniformly spaced intervals along the length of the thin metal strip, a series of elongated openings II) are formed centrally in the web portion I. These openings are elongated in the direction of the strip length and are preferably formed prior to the application of the deformable cushion 6 to the strip so that the openings are covered or sealed by the material of the cushion.

In mounting the contour strips in the channel of a window opening, spring metal fasteners I3 such as shown in Fig. 3 may be used. These fasteners extend through the elongated openings I0 and through similar openings or slots 2I formed in the walls I5 of the glass receiving channel. The spring fasteners have an interlocking action which retains the parts in assembled relation.

The spring metal fasteners I3 are bent from strips of resilient steel or brass wire. Each fastener is of integral or one-piece construction and has a pointed end formed by a central bend from which extend angularly disposed divergent portions IfI. Convergent portions I8 are formed as continuations of the divergent portions. Where the convergent portions I8 come together, they are bent to form parallel portions I9 that are disposed adjacent one another and terminate in angularly disposed divergent feet 20.

In assembling the parts of the window structure the web portions I of the thin metal contour strips or sheets are disposed fiatwise against the channel walls I5 with the elongated openings III of the contour strips aligned with the corresponding openings 2| in the walls I5. The spring metal fasteners I3 are forced or pushed through the aligned openings with the point of the divergent portions I! being foremost and serving as a drift to center or locate the parts. While inserting the fastener, the latter may yield and be deformed temporarily by bending so that the convergent portions I8 cross one another, the distance across the widest portion of the fastener normally being greater than the length of the individual slots I0. 7

When the individual fasteners are in place, the convergent walls I8 thereof engage in the ends of the slots 2| formed in the channel walls I5 and by reason of the resiliency of the metal fastener tend to draw the contour strip tightly against the channel walls, the feet 20 of the fastener being drawn so as to bear against the web portions I of the contour strips beyond the ends of the slots I0.

In Figs. 5 through 8 is illustrated a modification of the invention wherein the thin metal strip or shell of the seal and the deformable cushion body or ribbon thereof are formed or made separately and are assembled in place on the window structure. The metal strip is substantially the same as that previously described and the parts there-' of have been indicated by the same numerals of reference as used in connection with the preceding figures. These figures show a fragment of but one of the side panels of the door, it being understood that the otherdoor panel and the sealing or contour strip mounted thereon for the other side of the glass receiving channel may be similarly constructed and assembled.

Fig. 5 shows the relative order of assembly of the parts, the web I of the metal strip being disposed in parallel relation to the wall portion I5 of the window frame with the slots II] of the contour strip aligned with the slots 2I of the frame flange. The fastening elements I3 constructed as shown in Fig. 3 are then inserted through the aligned slots to retain the parts in assembled relation with the web I of the metal strip held snugly against the inturned wall forming flange I5 of the window frame.

The assembled parts are illustrated in Fig. 6 Which shows the manner in which the feet 20 of the fasteners I3 engage the web I of the metal strip to hold the latter against the wall of the glass channel. v

The deformable cushion body or ribbon for this modified form of contour sealing strip is indicated at 23 and corresponds to the body or ribbon 6 previously described. Tufts 24 are applied to or partially embedded in the deformable cushion 23, and correspond to the tufts 1 previously described. The deformable body 23 carrying the tufts 2 -3 is made separately from the metal strip and is calendered'or extruded to the desired shape and curved so as to have shape retaining resiliency. The rolled edges 2 and 3 are formed on the metal strip "prior to assembly withthe window frame providing the channels "4 and}. I

After the metal strip has beengsecured tot-he window frame in the manner described, the deform-able body ribbon carrying the tufts 2-4 is interfitted withthe metal'strip by pinching the edgesof the body together to clear theinturned rolled edges of the metal strip, as shown in Fig. 7. The resiliency of the deformable body enables it to resume its natural or unstressed shape, the ed-ges thereof expanding into the channels 5 and 5 of the metal strip so that the deformable body or ribbon-isheld or interlocked in the metal strip as shown in Fig. 8.

, Th'earrangement described in connection with Figs-'5 "through '8 is particularly advantageous because it provides for replacement of the de- 'formable body 23, and the tufts 24 should the latter become worn'or damaged. To replace the tufted cushion ribbon, the latter is merely pried loose and pulled'out of the channels of the metal "stripshelland a new resilient ribbon carrying tufts is assembled with the metal strip in the manner described.

The metal strip of this, and theother embodiments of thelinvention provides an attractive trim strip which outlines the entire periphery l sag-eases the window frame and thereby resist removal of the contour strip and to give the strip a finished appearance since this portion of the strip is exposed. Y

In rolling or otherwise forming the metal strip shown in Fig. 9 the parts are overformed so that the mouth or entrance of the channel between the web 2'! and theflange 33 is narrower when the metal is unstressed (Fig. 10) than when fitted in place (Fig. 91) so that the flange or wall 26 is gripped resiliently by the strip to hold the parts in assembled relation.

In .this modification of the invention, the deformable cushion ribbon 28 may be made of asphalt impregnated paper or fibrous material which may be rolled out fiat or may be twisted "and pressed to the desired shape. This backing or body ribbon may have adhering thereto or embedded therein tufts similar to the tufts I described in connection with the preceding figures. Another arrangement isto use a continuousribbon 31 of synthetic non-water absorbent material that is either adhered to the backing ribbon or base 2 8 or is stitched thereto as by threads 38 which form a line of stitching extending longitudinally through the center of the ribbon.

The continuous ribbon 3'! is narrower than the .body'ribbon or backing 28 so that the edges of of the window. An ornamental paint is applied to the strip prior to assembly in the window structure, or the strip is plated with a bright metal such as nickel or chromium.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is illustrated a further modification of the invention which is useful in applications having the glass receiving channel defined in part by an outturned flange 26 which may be formed on the window frame or contour as an integral extension thereof. In this modification the sheet metal strip has a web portion 2? disposed fiatwise against the flange or wall 26 of the glass channel. Spaced portions of the metal strip are rolled or bent to form confronting channels that receive the edges of a deformable cushion or ribbon 28. One of the channels is formed by rolled orbent edges 29 of the sheet metal strip, the bends being at right angles to give a trim, square appearance to the strip. The other channel of the strip is formed by a longitudinally extending bent or rolled portion 30 which is reversely bent on itself at 32 providing an integral extension 31 and a rolled edge of double thickness.

The integral extension is formed with longitudinally extending right angle bend 34 providing a marginal fiange portion 33 which is spaced from the web portion 2? of the strip. The web 21 and the flange 33, connected by the strip portion 3|, provide a deep channel extending the full width of the sealing strip which receives and resiliently grips the flange or wall 26 of the glass receiving channel. The edge of the strip flange 33 may be reversely bent at 35 to strengthen the same and to provide a gripping edge to bite into the latter can be interfitted in the manner described in connection with Fig. 7 into the opposed channels of the metalstrip after the body ribbon 28 and-the glass contacting ribbon 3! are assembled and stitched together. The interlockingfit of the backing ribbon 28 in the channels of the sheet metal strip 'hold the parts in assembled relationduring normal use while permitting removal and replacementof the cushion ribbon should it become worn or damaged in use.

The principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above and the particular method set forth are given merely for purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claimsto the specific details disclosed.

What I claim is: 1

1. A liner for use in a window structure of the type having a frame member with a marginal edge portion providing one wall of a glass runway, the liner comprising a resilient metal strip reversely bent along its length to form facing spaced portions in' a clamping relation for receiving the frame edge therebetween, one portion of the strip being bent to form confronting parallel channels extending longitudinally of the strip and having a web between the channels disposed fiatwise'against one side of the frame,- the other portion of the strip being disposed on the other side of the frame to bear against the frame and thereby clamp the liner over the frame edge, and a ribbon of cushioning material disposed against the web and having its edges received in the channels.

2. A liner for use in a window structure of the type having a frame member with a marginal edge portion providing one wall of a glass runway, the liner comprising a resilient metal strip reversely bent along its length to form facing spaced portions in a clamping relation for receiving the frame edge therebetween, one portion of the strip being bent to form confronting parallel channels extending longitudinally of the strip and having a web between the channels disposed flatwise against one side of the frame, the other portion of the strip being disposed on the other side of the frame to bear against the frame and thereby clamp the liner over the frame edge, a ribbon of cushioning material disposed against the web and having its edges received in the channels, and a glass engaging cushion narrower than the cushioning ribbon secured to the latter by stitching.

3. In combination with a window structure having a frame member providing one wall of a glass runway, a liner comprising a thin metal strip having a web portion disposed flatwise against the frame member and parts bent to provide spaced parallel channels disposed in confronting relation to one another, a ribbon of cushioning material disposed against the web portion of the strip and in the channels, said cushioning material extending laterally from between the channels for guiding engagement with a glass window in the runway, and a retainer formed as an integral reversely bent extension of one of the channels, said retainer having a portion'disposed in spaced generally parallel relation to the Web portion, the retainer and the web portion of the strip being disposed on opposite sides of the frame member so as to embrace the latter and retain the liner thereon.

4. A liner for the glass runway of a window comprising a resilient metal strip bent to form integral cushion holding and retainer portions, the cushion holding portion including a web and a pair of spaced parallel channels disposed in confronting relation, a cushion ribbon disposed against one side of the web and having edges received in the channels, and the retainer portion overlying the other side of the Web in spaced relation for receiving and gripping an edge of a window frame therebetween, the retainer portion including an angularly disposed connecting strip formed as an integral reversely bent extension of one of the channels.

5. A liner for the glass runway of a window comprising a resilient metal strip bent to form integral cushion holding and retainer portions, the cushion holding portion including a web and a pair of spaced parallel channels disposed in confronting relation, a cushion ribbon disposed against one side of the web and having edges received in the channels, and the retainer portion overlying the other side of the web in spaced relation for receiving and gripping an edge of a REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 815,292 Hegbom Mar. 13, 1926 1,712,472 Campbell May 7, 1929 1,996,447 Warager Apr. 2, 1935 2,004,722 Hamm June 11, 1935 2,058,942 Bailey Oct. 27, 1936 2,176,964 Harrah Oct. 24, 1939 2,196,888 Bailey Apr. 9, 1940 2,198,290 Place Apr. 23, 1940 2,464,406 Kramer Mar. 15, 1949 

